CIVIC PLUMBING

5 Common Plumbing Problems and How to Fix Them

Common plumbing problems are inevitable. No matter if you have the best plumbing system installed, some plumbing parts get old and worn out and eventually fail to do what they’re supposed to. That’s a fact any homeowner should live with. In fact, research suggests that homeowners are likely to call a professional plumber once every three years.

But it’s also important to remember that you don’t always have to call a professional for every plumbing problem you encounter. For common plumbing problems, there are simple solutions, which you can do by yourself.

Dripping faucet

According to EPA, more than 1 trillion gallons of water are wasted in the US due to household leaks on a yearly basis. Faucet leaks, in particular, are very common wasting more than 3,000 gallons per year. Don’t add to the statistic. Make sure you know how to fix a leaking faucet problem when it does happen.

Quick Fix Solution:

There are certain plumbing parts in a faucet system that cause the leaks. When you wake up to a dripping faucet, check whether the washers, cartridges or valve seat are worn out. If they are, a quick replacement job should solve the problem.

Clogged drains

Clogged drains are another common plumbing problem you can easily fix by yourself. Sink drains in your bathroom usually get clogged because of stuck hair. The clog happens near the pop-up assembly of the drain. Instead of using an over-the-counter drain cleaner that contains harmful chemicals, you’ll be happier if you try out this easy solution.

Quick Fix Solution:

If you have a drain plug adjustment arm or a needle nose pliers, they should work in reaching in and clearing out stuck debris in the drain. First remove the tub stopper or spring tab so you can reach the clogs. We also recommend cleaning the drains regularly to avoid clogged drains completely.

Weak water pressure

Common plumbing problems also include low or weak water pressure. For sink faucets, the first thing to do is check whether the cold and hot water are both affected. If they are, the plumbing part that’s likely causing the problem is the aerator because of calcium deposits that build up over time. For showers, weak water pressure is usually due to lime scale buildup.

Quick Fix Solution:

Clean out the aerator by removing the debris and build up. You’ll need a descaling solution to effectively clean the aerator. Use the same solution to clean lime scale buildup in your shower.

Stopped-up toilets

There are different plumbing problems that can happen in the most unfortunate of times. But one problem that irritates the hell out of most household owners is a stopped-up toilet. Imagine flushing your poop but instead of draining as the toilet is supposed to do, the water rises to the rim and drains excruciatingly slow. A stopped-up toilet may be due to a blocked toilet trap or drain. Thankfully, there’s a quick and easy solution to stopped-up toilets. You wouldn’t need to order new plumbing parts just yet.

Quick Fix Solution:

To solve your toilet problem, what you’ll need are two simple tools. You need a plunger to unblock the drain then a snake that will help loosen up the blockage.

Running toilets

If it’s not a stopped-up toilet, the problem is a running toilet. This common plumbing problem has probably happened once or twice for most households. Unless you learn how to fix it by yourself, you risk paying a hefty water bill. There are several common reasons that may cause a running toilet. It can be your fill valve, toilet flapper or leak flush valve.

Quick Fix Solution:

The first thing you need to do is find out which plumbing parts are causing the problem. From there you’ll know which part to buy and replace. For step-by-step guide on how to replace fill valves, toilet flapper or leak flush valve, there are plenty of tutorials online or on YouTube.

Still Having Plumbing Problems? Call Us!

If you’ve followed the quick fixes and you’ve replaced the plumbing parts that need replacement, but you’re still having plumbing problems. That’s where we come in. As a trusted expert in everything plumbing related, Civic Plumbing is your best professional plumber in Sydney. Give us a call and we’ll take care of any plumbing problem you have at a cost you can afford.